D e s e r t E x p o s u r e
November
2008
The Little Auction House That Could
In its homey barn in the Mimbres, Desert West Auctions combines classic auctioneering and the latest technology to bid for business. Plus: Walgreen's breaks ground, Daily Press drops Saturday, Penny Park orphaned, Mountain View Market helps T or C, and more.
Got a collection of vintage ceramic-headed dolls you're tired of dusting every week? Looking to sell an unusual item, like a beheading sword? Or perhaps you're looking to buy some fine American Indian jewelry or diamond rings at a good price. Come to auction!
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Jane Coogan, who co-owns Desert West
Auction with her husband, Bob, stands on the auction stage with the husband-wife
team of Sylvia Stearns, auction coordinator, and Keith Stearns, auctioneer,
while assistant Susan Murphy displays a piece of pottery the company
will auction. (Photo by Donna Clayton Lawder) |
Jane and Bob Coogan, proprietors of Desert West Auction in the rural Mimbres Valley, have been hooking up buyers and sellers for 15 years. Cowboy memorabilia, fine art, antique furnishings, coin collections and just plain useful everyday, well, stuff — the Coogans have sold it all, and then some.
Buyers bid online live via the Internet and phone in from around the country and the world. They join absentee bidders who've named their prices ahead of time and about 75 live members in the gallery, one action-packed weekend every month.
The Coogans and their experienced team have had great success hooking up buyers and sellers. And, yes, they really have sold an entire collection of 500 antique dolls and a beheading sword.
"We did real well for her," Jane Coogan recalls of the lady who consigned the lot of dolls for sale through Desert West Auction. Coogan explains how she put out a limited number of the antique beauties for bid each month: "You don't want to just flood the market with them all at once. They lose their uniqueness, their individuality if you do that. People can't appreciate them for what they are. They can't even see what's there if you put them out all at once.
"It took us a number of auctions to go through all those dolls and then we sold the cabinets, too. She had these beautiful wooden cabinets she displayed them in. The whole sale took six or eight months to complete."
Sitting in her small office off the main auction hall — a gloriously cluttered "command central," if you will — Coogan gives a bit of the company's history and details the basics of auctions.
"We started with an outside auction, under a tent out back," she recalls with a small laugh. "We have done on-site estate auctions, you know, where you sell everything in the house for them. Now everything comes here, is sold here, in the gallery."
The phone rings. It's a woman looking to sell a painting through Desert West Auction. Coogan grabs a notepad and starts scribbling the answers to a litany of questions: Who is the artist? Is the work an original? What medium? What kind of painting? Is it framed?
Satisfied that she has enough to do some research and place a value on the artwork, Coogan promises to call the seller back within two days and hangs up.
"When we first started out, we had to go pretty far and wide looking for goods," Coogan says. "Now people call us up and tell us what they've got. We've sold for some clients multiple times."
It's no wonder. Reaching out to potential buyers through several means, Desert West Auction often sells over 80 items per hour, Coogan says.
And it's not just the goods pipeline that has changed over the years to make this little company a global auction powerhouse. The ways of bringing in buyers have evolved and grown to include many methods of bidding and all the latest technologies.
"We added eBay five years ago," Coogan says. "On auction day, you can have a number of absentee bidders who have named their price, how high they'll go, in advance of the auction. Then you've got the people in the gallery, right here in the room." She gestures out to the big hall. "We have clerks taking bids over the phones and others taking bids on computer from people over the Internet."
She describes how the action goes back and forth, someone in the audience raising his or her hand to signal, the auctioneer announcing the new price, then a clerk on computer or telephone raising a hand to enter the offers of long-distance bidders.
"The Internet has really changed things. It makes my little world here in Mimbres much bigger," she says with a wide-eyed smile and shake of her head. "At our last auction, we had 650 online bidders from around the US and 17 foreign countries!"
Coogan says Desert West Auction has a well-established clientele of bidders around the globe, noting particularly active repeat buyers in Spain and France.
"And my eBay auction is different from just regular eBay," she adds. "It's a live auction. There's some guy out there, in his pajamas and on his computer, but he's bidding live with us, interacting with the audience here through the clerk taking Internet bids."
Throughout the company's quaint but huge auction barn, staffers are setting up for the next month's auction — labeling the treasures strewn out on long tables, photographing them to make up a catalog and to display on eBay. Goods sold at the most recent auction sit off to the sidelines, being boxed for shipping to the successful bidders, their new owners.
For its 30 percent commission fee on the selling price, Coogan says the company does a lot of work to promote and sell the goods. "We list, photograph, advertise, catalog and display each item. And of course we advertise the auction itself," she adds, handing over a flyer with the date of the next auction highlighted.
Coogan says people come to the auction barn and sit in the audience — rather than, say, staying at home in pajamas and bidding via computer — because of the entertainment value.
"Oh, it's fun! It's just a fun atmosphere. They come for the entertainment. They come for the free cake. Yes, we have free cake," she adds with a laugh. More substantial food is available, sold through a catered concession, for those who grow hungry as the bidding goes on and the hours roll by.
Coogan recounts some of the more unusual and interesting items Desert West has auctioned over the years, like the entire stock of a store that closed in Truth or Consequences. "It filled our entire barn!"
They once sold a fleet of some 50 vehicles for the Lordsburg police department.
"There was an 18-wheeler truck in that lot, too," she says. "The truck alone went for $38,000."
There have been some surprises, she adds, notably a small, antique pocketknife that commanded a large price.
"It didn't look like much and I considered just putting it in a bin with a $5 price tag," Coogan recalls. "But we put it out there, put the image on eBay, to see what the interest was and how people would value it."
The little knife — which turned out to be a rather rare Winchester — got plenty of interest. "Well, we opened the bidding at $1,500," Coogan says. "It sold for around $1,700! This little knife I didn't think would fetch much more than $5!"
And what about that beheading sword?
"Oh, that was an odd item," she says, describing its metallic awesomeness, its huge, imposing size and cruel, curved blade. "We opened the bidding at $100. There was a lot of interest in it, and a lot of drama. That's the sort of item that's so much fun to see when you're here in the gallery. An item like that gives the auctioneer a chance to really make a show of it."
After the gasps and titters died down, the bidding got underway in earnest, the price climbing at times by $50 increments.
"It closed at $950," Coogan says — to an Internet bidder on eBay.
Desert West Auction holds auctions one weekend each month; this month's auction is Nov. 22-23. Previews are held 8-10 a.m. on the auction dates with the bidding starting promptly at 10 a.m. For detailed info on bidding, including absentee bidding, previews and pictures of the items, go to www.desertwestauction.com or www.ebayliveauctions.com
To get in on the gallery action, look for the big red barn at 3870 N. Hwy. 35 in Mimbres. 536-9353.
Rx Against Rumors
Contrary to rumors, Walgreen's has not reneged on its plans to open a location in Silver City. This reporter has personally seen the stamped and approved building plans in the Community Planning and Development Office at the Town Hall Annex. An official there confirms that the retail drugstore giant broke ground Oct. 21 and construction of the foundation pad is underway.
AmBank Update
As Bogey says in Casablanca, "I was misinformed." Apologies to AmBank for an error in last month's Business Exposure column. Joan Ethridge, a spokeswoman at AmBank, checked in to say that the bank's shareholders had not yet voted but were set to vote on the institution being bought by Artesia bank at the end of October. Business Exposure had made several calls in late September to AmBank to confirm the potential sale but was unable to reach the desired parties. Another AmBank employee, however, when told what information the reporter was looking for, responded, "Funny that you're calling today, as the shareholders just approved the purchase yesterday!" Ethridge says the employee was mistaken, that the potential purchase had only been slated for the vote at that time. AmBank president and CEO Joseph Casey confirms, "On August 13, the board approved a definitive merger agreement, subject to shareholder and regulatory approval. Casey promises an update after the shareholder vote on Oct. 29, which was after this issue's deadline.
Saturdays Off
Citing economic factors, postal rates and printing costs, Silver City Daily Press publisher Tiny Ely announced mid-October that the paper would discontinue its Saturday edition and publishing the Friday TV listings. The cost-cutting measure comes several months after the newspaper outsourced its printing in another money-saving move. Ely said the changes would enable the newspaper's staff to provide more local and regional news throughout the week, and devote more time to its online edition and breaking news. No word on whether subscription rates will shrink to reflect the reduction from six issues a week to five, or to fulfill an earlier pledge to lower rates once gas prices — then at $4, now under $3 a gallon — fell. Ely could not be reached for comment.
Penny for Your Thoughts
The Gila Institute for Tots to Teens (GIFTTT), the non-profit volunteer entity behind Silver City's Community-Built Park (a.k.a. "Penny Park") and the nearly completed skate park, has disbanded. In a formal statement, the group cited a lack of additional adjacent land for future projects, a shortage of board members and volunteers and a bleak outlook for future funding. The town of Silver City officially owns the park. Town manager Alex Brown says, "What has been happening over the last year is that they (GIFTTT) have been responsible for the maintenance of the park. They were having problems raising the money. I started helping them, supplementing them with (town) money." Brown says the town has now taken over the park's maintenance deal with independent contractor Steve Bonyun until the new fiscal year in June 2009, also supplementing with some of the town's park staff to do the work. "We wanted to give ourselves some time to see what kind of expense it will take to maintain the park, and the skate park, too, when it starts up. The skate park is pretty much done now, they're just finishing up landscaping — and that's coming out of state monies that we had allocated already." Brown says the town has always paid the insurance for Penny Park, which is on town land.
College Try
Does Silver City have a new institution of higher learning? Not exactly. Jeffrey Goin recently registered his distance-education school, Chadwick University, with the town of Silver City, listing 107 E. Broadway #10 as its business address. But a recent Daily Press story reports that the school is unaccredited and was "kicked out of Alabama," where it first operated. Chadwick was opened in 1989 by Lloyd Clayton (no relation to this reporter), who also started the Alabama-based Clayton College of Natural Health. That school calls itself accredited, but on several "watchdog" Web sites is called "unaccredited" and "a diploma mill," and medical institutions are warned to "be wary" of hiring its graduates. Formerly operating in Birmingham, Ala., Chadwick University was one of four institutions in Alabama that had its license revoked for "non-compliance" earlier this year, after the state tightened its regulations on for-profit institutions of higher learning. A Silver City town official in the planning and development office says, "They registered with us, which is what they have to do to do business here. They're evidently not legal with the state, though." Roger Groves, Silver City code-enforcement supervisor, could not be reached for comment on what this means for Chadwick's business registration with the town. A call to Jeffrey Goin reached a voicemail message saying he is "out of the country and incommunicado" at this time.
Natural Business Growth
Kirsten Hardenbrook and Kit Laney-the once-controversial rancher-have opened Community Grown, producing all-natural hormone-, antibiotic- and steroid-free, grass-fed, locally raised beef, lamb and goat. Based in Silver City, they sell their products through farmers' markets and select retail outlets, and provide home delivery. 534-0221.
Mountain View Market, the Las Cruces natural foods co-op, is helping residents in nearby Truth or Consequences establish a store of their own. T or C locals asked for the market's involvement when The Little Sprouts, a privately owned natural foods store there, came up for sale. Representatives from Mountain View Market met with T or C residents late last month to answer questions and offer experience, helping the prospective co-op members develop a timeline and transition into community co-op operation and ownership.
New in Town
The First United Methodist Church has opened Little Lambs Day Care, housed in the education wing at the back of the church, 300 W. College Ave. in Silver City. The facility has a capacity for 46 children and takes little ones from six weeks to four years old. The center is full now but taking applications and building a waiting list. 654-0631/654-0632.
Teresa Danlin, who co-founded and owns Sierra Community Counseling Center with her husband, Michael, has started up Fisch Gallery, offering in-home counseling and art therapy. 313-3964.
Silver City artist Mary Gravelle has taken an entrepreneurial approach to marketing her works, opening Mary's Fine Art Rentals, a company specializing in supplying fine art to corporate and professional offices, medical and dental practices and law firms. "Art says more about your company than your furniture. It projects a particular image, improves employee morale and productivity and inspires corporate confidence," Gravelle says. Rates begin at $25 per month. Gravelle gives a free one-hour consultation for the service. 956-7315, info@marysfineart.com, www.marysfineart.com
Silver City resident Charlene Jones is now a "comfort specialist" for Jockey Person to Person, the direct-sales division of Jockey International, Inc. Business is conducted in a home party setting. Jones says she has fun running her business and likes selling to local customers in the comfort of their own homes. cjones@signalpeak.net, www.jockeypersontoperson.com, 538-8430.
Baltazar Granados is getting by with a little help from his friends. Granados has opened Three Amigos and Associates, a general-contracting firm based at 1009 N. Platinum Ave. in Deming. 545-8431.
William Seehawer wants to floor you. He's opened Patrick's Flooring, a business installing carpet, tile and hardwood flooring. 665 Tyrone Road, Silver City, 313-1444.
Cody Graham has registered his business, DRI Metals, a metal-recycling business, operating at #2 Ridge Road in Silver City. 534-4719/956-7216.
Melissa K. Grattan has opened SCGC Property Management, at 607 N. Hudson St., Ste B. An independent company, Grattan's office is in the building with Carol Thompson's Century 21 Thompson Realty. 538-5133.
Albert Simpson has opened Chief's Painting in Bayard, offering interior and exterior, commercial and residential painting services. Need something fixed? Simpson also has his handyman license and does staining and varnishing of wood. 537-7545/313-5404.
New Mexico State University is adding a new Entrepreneurship Institute to help educate owners of small businesses and potential entrepreneurs for success. Part of the university's Arrowhead Center, the institute will also help entrepreneurs network. The program comes thanks to a nearly $1 million grant from the US Small Business Administration, which will fund the program for three years.
Car Talk
Want to spiff up your ride? Ricky Villalobos will come to you. Villalobos of Tyrone has started Johnny's Detail, a mobile car detailing company. 590-7722.
Time to buy some new wheels? Now you can buy them on time! A new Las Cruces business, Rent A Wheel, has opened at 110 W. Picacho Ave., next to the Speedy Lube. Customers can rent to own their wheels and tires, making weekly or bi-weekly payments. 523-9770.
Sharon D. Alba and Nacho Nolasco now are operating Speed Wrench Garage, at 11591 Hwy. 180, across the street from Real West Cinema in Silver City, offering complete automotive repair. 534-0402.
Bigger and Better
Having secured his financing, Kevin Korzan, owner of KorzanOils, 1550 S. Solano Dr. in Las Cruces, is having a 5,200-square-foot building constructed just down the street from the company's current rented location. The new building will cost an estimated $800,000. Korzan has operated the business for more than six years, the past three at the Solano Drive location and out of his home prior to that. KorzanOils offers oil changes and other automotive services with Amsoil products.
Dollar Tree continues to branch out in Las Cruces, with a third outlet recently opened at 1265 El Paseo Road, next to the Albertson's grocery. www.dollartree.com
On the Move...
Carol Watson-Brand has moved her Pilates studio and practice to larger quarters at 109 N. Bullard St. in Silver City. Watson-Brand, a certified fitness trainer and movement specialist, offers sessions on Pilates-Stott Reformer equipment and personal training packages, as well as posture and stride analysis and retraining. 534-1261.
ZIA Family Healthcare is moving to a new office as the new month begins, open for business Nov. 3. The practice's new digs are at 10983 Hwy. 180 W., 1,000 feet past Bypass Road at the entrance of Wind Canyon Estates. 534-4299, ziafhc@signalpeak.net
Mountain Dreams publishing, producer of Ventanas Magazine, Sabroso and Las Cruces Magazine, has moved from its office on Hickory Drive in Las Cruces to 2226 Calle de Guadalupe in Mesilla. Managing editor Joe Burgess says the office is in a great location, right on the back side of the church. Mountain Dreams had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in April, but Burgess says the company is coming out of that financial reorganization now. "We just printed Sabroso and Ventanas, and those two magazines are out on the stands now," Burgess says. www.mountaindreams.info.
Going, Going, Gone...
The Blockbuster on Lohmann Avenue in Las Cruces has closed.
Caught in the squeeze between high-end department stores and discount retailers like Wal-Mart, ailing department-store chain Mervyns filed for bankruptcy protection in July and plans to wind down its business by holding liquidation sales at its remaining 149 stores during the holiday season. That's the best way, the company says, to maximize value for its creditors. The nearest Mervyn's locations for our readership are three stores in El Paso, at Bassett Place, Sunland Park Mall and at 10501 Gateway West in the Yarbrough Plaza.